The LG Nexus device that we have been covering so intensely over the last couple of weeks is not much of a secret anymore, especially after a prototype of the device was put through a variety of tests. Well, there may be one thing that we aren’t 100% certain of – the name. Some are referring to it as the Optimus Nexus, while others have moved onto “Nexus 4.” If the EXIF data attached to a picture taken with an LG device by a Google employee is to be taken as gospel, then maybe the official name will be Nexus 4 after all.

As you can see in the beautiful coffee art picture above that was taken this week, we have a camera made by LGE (LG Electronics) and a model “Nexus 4.” Does it get any more official? Now, EXIF data is easily faked or tweaked, so there is always a chance that this name could change over the next couple of weeks. I’m not sure I believe that it will, though. As the Galaxy Nexus launch neared last year, these same clues all appeared.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/13/googler-posts-picture-to-picasa-from-his-lg-nexus-4/feed/115Onliner Briefly Reviews the LG Nexus – Compares to Galaxy Nexus and Reminds You That It’s a Prototypehttp://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/12/onliner-briefly-reviews-the-lg-nexus-compares-to-galaxy-nexus-and-reminds-you-that-its-a-prototype/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/12/onliner-briefly-reviews-the-lg-nexus-compares-to-galaxy-nexus-and-reminds-you-that-its-a-prototype/#commentsFri, 12 Oct 2012 18:05:10 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=85590Onliner Briefly Reviews the LG Nexus – Compares to Galaxy Nexus and Reminds You That It’s a Prototype is a post from: Droid Life
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Onliner, a Russian news outlet, has had an LG Nexus prototype in its hands for a few days now, something we are all admittedly jealous of. Today though, they released a preview or semi-review of the device, giving us a look at what an unfinished prototype device is capable of. If you aren’t picking up the sarcasm in that last sentence, let me rephrase. Their review mentions “prototype” and “buggy” more than I care to count, so don’t buy into this as some definitive preview of LG’s Nexus phone.

Overall, they talk about low benchmark scores even though it has a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor. They mention reboots and buttons not always working, the fact that it’s only running Android 4.1.2, and that Beam refuses to work. But again, it’s a prototype, so nothing has been optimized. For all we know, this isn’t even final hardware – and most certainly isn’t final software.

But, because we like talking about Nexus phones, let’s dive into the good parts of this, like how it compares to the Galaxy Nexus, the gorgeous display, and if the camera is decent or not.

Vs. Galaxy Nexus

Which one is the LG and which one is the Samsung? Tough to tell, right? Obviously, the one on the left is the LG Nexus, thanks to a moved speaker grill and a shiny silver iPhone 3GS-ish rim around the device. The form factor though, is almost identical. The only noticeable differences appear on the backside, which you can see below. The LG device does not have a hump, measures in slightly thinner, has an 8MP camera that sits off-center, and a mosaic tile finish. Oh, the front screen is not curved like on the last two Nexus phones from Samsung, something I actually enjoyed.

Camera

Here are 4 additional camera samples (resized) that are nothing to write home about. Onliner blames buggy camera software for the poor results, however, I’d argue for the 10th time that this won’t change when the phone is officially released because the stock Android camera software has always been awful and almost always produced low-end pictures. Since this phone is running Android 4.1.2, maybe we’ll see Android 4.2 at launch along with new camera software.

Display

Onliner was quick to point out that the display is beautiful and on-par if not better in ways to the iPhone 5’s. Since the display is likely the same 4.7″ HD IPS+ display that is used in the Optimus G, this should surprise no one. They said that the display gets brighter than the iPhone’s, has worse contrast, and shows excellent viewing angles. We’ll talk more about this display soon, as we have two Optimus Gs in our possession.

Overall

It’s a prototype. Do I need to say this again? Prototype. Nothing about this phone is final or official except for maybe the processor, display, camera sensor, and RAM. For all we know, the software will be updated, hardware could change, and Google may have surprises up their sleeves for the unveil. I personally love the look, as the Galaxy Nexus design is still one of my favorites. It’ll be a great device, assuming it doesn’t come with only 8GB of internal storage.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/12/onliner-briefly-reviews-the-lg-nexus-compares-to-galaxy-nexus-and-reminds-you-that-its-a-prototype/feed/116‘LG Optimus Nexus’ May Ship With No LTE, Coming to Google Play October 29 for $399? (Updated)http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/12/lg-optimus-nexus-may-ship-with-no-lte-coming-to-google-play-october-29-for-399/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/12/lg-optimus-nexus-may-ship-with-no-lte-coming-to-google-play-october-29-for-399/#commentsFri, 12 Oct 2012 15:55:39 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=85532‘LG Optimus Nexus’ May Ship With No LTE, Coming to Google Play October 29 for $399? (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life
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Update: We have reason to believe that this is pure rumor and nothing more. Don’t put a lot of weight into this price as being official or final by any means. Again, ignore it.

The rumor mill is in overdrive with the LG Nexus the past few weeks. We almost know everything there is to know about the device, and if today’s latest is true, we now know the price as well. An unnamed source confirmed the 1.5GHz quad-core S4 processor, but said that the phone would only come with 8GB of memory inside and a sealed battery, presumably to keep costs down. Apparently that price point they are aiming for is $399 when the device hits Google Play.

That price seems a little high when you take into account the fact that this source says the phone will launch with no LTE, leaving it to only work on T-Mobile and AT&T’s GSM networks. People seemed very excited to see a Nexus finally come to Verizon and I know more than a few of you readers would be upset if these next Nexus devices avoided Big Red altogether.

Even with trying to keep the cost down, the screen is said to be on par with the HTC One X whose SLCD dominates the Android market right now. The source claims that the name “LG Optimus Nexus” is a possibility along with “Nexus 4,” but we’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think of these latest rumors? $399 a good price? Do you think it will come to Verizon?

After the spending the last year complaining about the atrocious camera in the Galaxy Nexus, I’ve been dying to see real photo samples from this new Nexus. While these aren’t award winning shots, they aren’t bad for a mobile smartphone camera. If you look at them in full-res you can see some noise, but far less than you would probably see if these were taken with a G-Nex. The lighting also appears to be about perfect, so until we can do some low light tests, it’s tough to tell if this camera will win us over or not. Part of me still thinks that the stock Android camera software is to blame, but that’s a story for another day.

The LG Nexus went from being the best kept secret in tech to being the worst in a matter of days. At one point a few weeks ago, this phone was nothing more than a rumor that most sites were afraid to touch. Today, it has been leaked in more photoshoots than I can even keep track of. Take last night’s appearance for example, a comparison photo shoot with the new iPhone 5 in as clear a set of pictures as you will find anywhere. You don’t see photos this clean unless you have the phone in hand, something the Onliner has had the honor of.

According to this latest report, the phone has a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 8MP camera, a 4.7″ HD display, and runs Android 4.1.2. As you can see in the pictures, it looks a lot like a mix between the Galaxy Nexus and LG’s new Optimus G. It has the same crystal back and 8MP camera as the Optimus G, but the corners have been rounded to look a lot like last year’s Nexus. It’s a beautiful phone.

And that’s pretty much that. I think at this point, we are simply waiting for Google to announce it.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/11/lg-nexus-takes-on-the-iphone-5-in-latest-picture-leak/feed/194LG Nexus 4 Launching October 29 According to French Newspaperhttp://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/10/lg-nexus-4-launching-october-29-according-to-french-newspaper/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/10/lg-nexus-4-launching-october-29-according-to-french-newspaper/#commentsWed, 10 Oct 2012 18:04:57 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=85265LG Nexus 4 Launching October 29 According to French Newspaper is a post from: Droid Life
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October 29 – mark it down. According to French newspaper Le Figaro, the LG Nexus 4 will launch on that day. We have no idea why a French paper that has never been sourced in the tech industry before is breaking Nexus release date news, but hey, we’ll roll with it. They don’t actually site a source, just that they were told that October 29 was the global launch.

This date matches up to previously rumored release time frames and also matches the newest name that appeared in Carphone Warehouse inventory screen. Whether “Nexus 4″ is the final retail name or not remains to be seen. All I know is that October 29 needs to get here in a hurry.

To recap, the next Nexus will more than likely be made by LG, will rock a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, 8MP camera, 8GB or 16GB internal storage options, NFC, 4.7″ HD display, and run the newest version of Android, which may end up as Android 4.2.

A listing in Carphone Warehouse’s inventory system is helping to keep the next Nexus chatter alive. Shown above, you can see an “LG Nexus4″ in both black and white. Is this the LG Nexus that has appeared in multiple photoshoots over the last week? Probably. What we don’t know is if this is the official name or not. I’d bet that it isn’t, and CW is simply waiting for an official name from Google.

If it does stick, it sort of makes sense, as it is the 4th Nexus phone. Or maybe they are playing off of the Nexus 7 name? That’s a possibility, however, the LG Nexus is likely to have a 4.7″ screen rather than a straight 4″.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/10/lg-nexus-4-appears-in-carphone-warehouse-inventory/feed/123LG Nexus in the Wild One More Time, Owner Reveals Details – 8GB Storage, 8MP Camera and Morehttp://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/09/lg-nexus-in-the-wild-one-more-time-owner-reveals-details-8gb-storage-8mp-camera-and-more/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/09/lg-nexus-in-the-wild-one-more-time-owner-reveals-details-8gb-storage-8mp-camera-and-more/#commentsTue, 09 Oct 2012 23:35:37 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=85210LG Nexus in the Wild One More Time, Owner Reveals Details – 8GB Storage, 8MP Camera and More is a post from: Droid Life
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Another prototype LG Nexus (LG-E960) has surfaced over at XDA and the owner is taking questions from curious onlookers. The pictures itself aren’t all that new, but he’s confirming specs and any other detail that you can throw at him.

So far, he has confirmed that the device only has 8GB of internal storage and he hasn’t found a microSD slot yet. This matches up to an earlier rumor that suggests there would only be 8GB and 16GB options, a move we assumed was done to keep the price ultra low.

This lucky new Nexus owner said that the processor is a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core chipset clocked at 1.5GHz. It has 2GB RAM, an 8MP camera, 768×1184 (slightly different than what we saw earlier in a benchmark). The device does not have an LTE chip and is about the same thickness as the Galaxy Nexus.

To find out more, I suggest you hover at the XDA thread below and wait for him to answer more questions.

Now that we know the codename for LG’s Nexus phone is Mako, we can start the usual searches for it across the web. One of the first things we almost always do is search NenaMark, as testers tend to benchmark their devices on this site well before they are ever released. After doing a quick “find on page” in the results section, you will definitely find a device by the name Mako that runs a similar “JellyBeanMR1″ to the devices we saw last night in pictures.

There isn’t a lot to learn, but we do get confirmations on the Snapdragon S4 Pro processor thanks to the Adreno 320 GPU note. We can also see that the screen resolution is an HD screen at 1196×768. At full resolution, without the on-screen navigation keys, that would read 1280×768.

The device is showing in AnTuTu as well, but there isn’t much to gather from it other than the clock speed of the quad-core processor which is 1.5GHz.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/09/nenamark-benchmark-confirms-snapdragon-s4-pro-processor-of-the-lg-nexus-screen-resolution-too/feed/64Here is the LG Optimus Nexus Sans Dummy Box, Does Sort of Look Like a Galaxy Nexushttp://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/08/here-is-the-lg-optimus-nexus-without-that-silly-case-does-sort-of-look-like-a-galaxy-nexus/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/08/here-is-the-lg-optimus-nexus-without-that-silly-case-does-sort-of-look-like-a-galaxy-nexus/#commentsTue, 09 Oct 2012 04:38:44 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=85061Here is the LG Optimus Nexus Sans Dummy Box, Does Sort of Look Like a Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life
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The first pictures of what we are expecting to be the LG Nexus (LG-E960) appeared earlier this evening, giving us a glimpse of what Google has in store for November. Many of you were quick to point out the case surrounding it that seemed to be some sort of a dummy box, meant to disguise the device. Previous rumors had stated that the device actually looked more like a Galaxy Nexus in shape and size, but it was impossible to tell with that case around it. Well, until now.

A reader of ours found another set of pictures of the device on a Russian forum, sans dummy box. As you can see in the pictures above, it does carry a similar shape to the Galaxy Nexus with its rounded head and chin. The screen appears to be almost edge-to-edge though, and the back carriers the similar crystal backing of the Optimus G – the device that the Optimus Nexus is supposedly based off of.

From the About screen, we can see that the device is running JellyBeanMR1 and goes by the codename Mako, just like the device from earlier. The camera on the back isn’t branded with 8MP or 13MP, but we are expecting it to be one or the other, just like in the two Optimus G variants.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/08/here-is-the-lg-optimus-nexus-without-that-silly-case-does-sort-of-look-like-a-galaxy-nexus/feed/292LG-E960 Pictured in the Wild, is This the First Sighting of LG’s Nexus? (Updated)http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/08/lg-e960-pictured-in-the-wild-is-this-the-first-sighting-of-lgs-nexus/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/08/lg-e960-pictured-in-the-wild-is-this-the-first-sighting-of-lgs-nexus/#commentsTue, 09 Oct 2012 02:37:27 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=85046LG-E960 Pictured in the Wild, is This the First Sighting of LG’s Nexus? (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life
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Remember the LG-E960, a device that we first reported last week after it cruised through the FCC? We questioned then whether or not this was the LG Nexus phone that the internet can’t stop talking about, and according to an XDA user, this is that same phone. He hasn’t said much about it’s origin other than a “random source” gave it to him and that it seems like a prototype.

As we can see from the pictures, it’s running stock Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) and carries the codename Mako. In the past, Nexus devices all hid under fish names until they were released, so this at least looks good for the sake of this being a Nexus. The shape and styling are as plain black as you can get, but it does have on-screen navigation keys, something Google introduced to smartphones with the Galaxy Nexus.

Other than that, we have a couple of side shots that show a volume rocker and power switch on opposite sides of one another. We can see a camera with a flash on the back side and an LG boot animation (which is odd if this is a Nexus).

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/08/lg-e960-pictured-in-the-wild-is-this-the-first-sighting-of-lgs-nexus/feed/90Did the LG Optimus Nexus Hit the FCC With AT&T Bands and NFC as the LG-E960?http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/05/lg-optimus-nexus-passes-through-fcc-with-att-bands-and-nfc-as-the-lg-e960/
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/10/05/lg-optimus-nexus-passes-through-fcc-with-att-bands-and-nfc-as-the-lg-e960/#commentsFri, 05 Oct 2012 16:03:22 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=84815Did the LG Optimus Nexus Hit the FCC With AT&T Bands and NFC as the LG-E960? is a post from: Droid Life
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Yep, the LG Nexus talks have officially reached overdrive. Multiple sources from across the web have weighed in with their spec lists, but what about something more official, like an FCC filing? Overseas blogs and forums like Blog of Mobile are under the impression that the LG-E960 (mentioned here by us) is the model number for LG’s Nexus, a device that passed through the FCC this week.

What was in the filing, you ask? Well, we know that this phone is only Tri-band, unlike the GSM Galaxy Nexus which was Penta-band. This filing only lists out AT&T’s 850/1900 GSM bands, so for those on T-Mobile, this news might be a bit disappointing. As you can see from the diagram up top, the device also has an NFC chip, but we sort of figured it would if it were to become a Nexus device.

We should also point out that while the LG Optimus G is headed to AT&T, it has LTE, which this phone doesn’t. So no, this is not the Optimus G. It could very well be the next Nexus, since we are expecting it to be an unlocked GSM phone sold directly through the Google Play store. We aren’t sure why Google and LG would go with an AT&T radio only though, unless it was a cost cutting measure. Then again, this may not be the phone at all.

Ready for another next Nexus rumor? This time, we have one from Modaco’s Paul, who also claims that LG is for sure making a Nexus device. From what he has heard, the specs of it are mostly based off of the LG Optimus G, however, it won’t necessarily look like that phone. From a previous rumor, we had heard that the device actually looks more like the Galaxy Nexus than anything, something we would be happy with.

It should sport a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, a True HD IPS display, an 8MP camera, on-screen navigation softkeys, no microSD slot, non-removable battery, and will have wireless charging built in. In semi-shocking news, he is also hearing that the device will come in 8GB and 16GB storage options. According to Paul’s sources, the name has not yet been decided, however, we have heard LG Optimus G Nexus or Optimus Nexus in the past. The targeted launch is set for November.

So, about that internal storage – 8GB and 16GB? I know what you are thinking, “Is that it?” The only thing I can say to defend this move, is related to price. Google will more than likely sell this directly through the Play store as an unlocked GSM phone. If they don’t go with a carrier partner, that means no subsidies, but that also means that they need to sell it at a rock bottom price. People in this country are still afraid to spend $500+ on a smartphone, so by keeping the storage low, they can keep the price low. Are we talking a $299 8GB phone? Possibly.

Ready to learn all about the next Nexus? According to our pal Taylor from Android and Me, the next in the program will indeed be made by LG and will be dubbed the Optimus G Nexus. For a couple of weeks now, rumors surrounding the next Nexus included LG, but Taylor claims to have essentially confirmed it with a handful of sources. We know him personally and tend to take him for his word, especially in Nexus talks.

As you all know, the Optimus G is already a favorite of ours because of its more-than-impressive set of specs which include a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP (8MP in some cases) camera, a brilliant 4.7″ IPS+ HD display, and a slim body. The skinned version will arrive on AT&T and Sprint at some point in the near future, but according to today’s rumors, the Nexus version could arrive in November.

We would assume that the phone will be an unlocked GSM phone, sold directly through the Play store, and not tied to a carrier.

Along with the arrival of this phone, we should see Android 4.2. While the numbers may seem like it will be a small upgrade, it could bring with it better power management, a new version of the Google Play store, new features geared towards a new Nexus program (which we’ll talk about in a minute), and lay the groundwork for Android 5.0. There could be one major UI tweak though – a change from multi-page home screens to a more tabbed approach. Lastly, there is a chance that we see some sort of a “customization center” that allows you to choose from a stock Android experience or a custom skin from the manufacturer of the phone (Sense from HTC, Blur from Motorola, TouchWiz from Samsung, etc.).

And finally, Andy Rubin may take the stage at the end of this month at AllThingsD’s Dive conference to talk about everything a new Nexus program that would include the device from LG. This new Nexus program will employ a more open approach that allows almost any manufacturer to join in on the fun, as long as they adhere to some strict guidelines. They must include a stock Android experience and 64MB of secure memory for media streaming. They can toss in their custom skin as part of the previously mentioned “customization center” to give consumers choice, but the base must be able to easily support Android 5.0, the next big release following 4.2.

Let all of that soak in for a second.

Excited? You should be. If true, this would give you choices in a Nexus device and would make it less of a competition for OEMs. Rather than being disappointed each year with the winner of the Nexus battle, you may have a device from a variety of manufacturers to choose from – maybe even one from Motorola.

You may not realize this, but it was just last year on October 18 that Google and Samsung took to the stage to reveal the Galaxy Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). Today, is October 1. So where are all of the rumors surrounding the next Nexus device? By this time in 2011, we knew that the Galaxy Nexus was going to be called the Galaxy Nexus and also that Android 4.0 was ICS and that they would arrive together. This year seems to be completely different, though. In fact, we know absolutely nothing about the next Nexus phone, if or when it will arrive, and who is manufacturing it. All we have are a couple of rumors to go on, one of which is new and paints a 30-day window in to the picture. According to our friends over at Android and Me, who spoke with numerous industry sources of theirs, the next Nexus has “already leaked” on some blogs and will be unveiled within the “next 30 days.” So which phone is it?

So let’s say LG does indeed make the next Nexus. When will we see it? In year’s past, we saw a lot of action surround AllThingsD’s Dive Into Mobile conference. You may remember Andy Rubin taking to stage with the Motorola XOOM and Honeycomb for the first time. Then last year, after Google cancelled their initial Galaxy Nexus event, held another the morning of the Dive Into Mobile conference, hours before Rubin was to take the stage as a speaker, again. Guess what? Rubin is scheduled to speak one more time at this year’s conference, which kicks off October 29. My guess is that Google and whoever their partner is, throws an event the week prior to show off their latest creation.

On a related note, there is also a chance that we see a new version of Android, only this will fall under Jelly Bean and not the rumored Key Lime Pie. It could land as Android 4.2 and may sport a handful of new features such as multi-user login, better camera software, a new dialer, and more. Google likes to launch new software versions along with new phones, so this certainly makes sense.